This website uses cookies for functionality and allow us to analyse the use of the site. To opt out please view our cookie policy. If you continue to browse the site, we'll assume you agree to the use of cookies.

Workplace Slip & Trip Claims

Despite being easily prevented, slips and trips are the most common type of work accident. More than 20,000 people are believed to be involved in slipping and tripping accidents at work each year, often through no fault of their own.

If you’ve had a slip, trip, or fall at work, our solicitors could help you claim compensation for your injuries. We’ve represented clients who have suffered a range of injuries, including whiplash and broken bones.

Many people who slip or trip believe that the accident was their own fault, but in fact most accidents could be prevented if employers put the right safety procedures in place. These measures include:

Risk assessments

Appropriate footwear

Maintaining a tidy workplace

Cleaning up/signposting spillages

If you’re worried that your employer didn’t take the necessary precautions to protect you, our lawyers could help. We have years of experience investigating workplace accidents, so we understand the impact that slips, trips and falls can have on your life.

The majority of the cases we handle are on a No Win No Fee basis, which means there's nothing to pay upfront and that you won’t have to pay any legal fees if your claim is unsuccessful*.

We know that making a claim against your employer can seem daunting, which is why we’ll work sensitively and professionally at all times. Our solicitors will also make sure that you’re kept up-to-date with what is happening with your claim in clear, easy-to-understand terms.

For a free initial consultation about your workplace slip or trip claim, call us free on 0800 056 4110 or contact us online.

After you’ve contacted us, we’ll set up a free initial consultation to discuss your case and whether you have a legal claim. We’ll discuss what funding options are available to you to pay for your claim, including No Win No Fee agreements*.

We’ll then get in touch with those responsible for your accident at an early stage to see if they accept the blame for your injuries. If they accept responsibility, we’ll try to secure interim compensation payments which can fund private medical care and ongoing expenses, before your claim fully settles. Any interim payments will be taken out of your final compensation award.

Our lawyers will look into your case in detail, gathering evidence from independent medical professionals and health and safety specialists. These experts will analyse why your accident happened and can determine any future implications to your health. They’ll also advise us on the care you’ll need in the future.

We’ll always try and negotiate claims out of court, keeping the claim process as short as we can. However, if your employer doesn’t accept responsibility or doesn’t agree with the amount of compensation we feel you need, we’ll start court proceedings.

Even when trial dates have been set, claims are still often settled before reaching court. If your claim does need to go to court, we’ll be there to help you every step of the way, talking you through what will happen so you feel as comfortable as possible.

Compensation can make a real difference to your life, ensuring that you can access the healthcare and support to make the best recovery you can. By making a claim with us, we can get you funds which can help pay for:

The amount of compensation you receive will depend on the severity of your injuries and the likelihood that you’ll make a full recovery. We’ll seek expert opinions on what care you’ll need to ensure that the compensation we claim will be sufficient.

If your employer accepts responsibility for your accident, we could help you get early compensation payments. Often known as interim payments, these funds will be taken from your final settlement and can help pay for ongoing care costs and expenses, before your claim has settled.

We could help you make a claim if you’ve slipped or tripped in a workplace, whether you’re an employee, contractor, a member of the public or a visitor.

Even if you’re a casual worker or consider yourself to be self-employed, you might still be considered as an employee under UK law, giving you the same rights as other workers when it comes to health and safety.

If you’re an agency worker who has slipped or tripped at work, both the agency you work for and the owners of the business should take responsibility for your safety. They should work together to make sure that precautions are in place to protect you.

We can also help with claims being made on behalf of others including:

On behalf of a child who has been in an accident before their 18th birthday

For someone who doesn’t have the mental capacity to handle their own case

On behalf of a loved one who has unfortunately passed away

If you’ve sadly lost a loved one in a workplace accident, we can help you with:

Recovering compensation for their pain and suffering, to account for financial losses caused by their death and to cover funeral expenses

Representing you at inquest

Getting you the answers and apology you deserve from those responsible

Our lawyers could also help you access a statutory bereavement award, a flat rate of £12,980 which is provided when a wrongful death has occurred. This is available if you’re the spouse, civil partner or parent (if under 18) of the person who died.

You normally have three years to make a claim from the date of your accident. However, there are some exceptions to this rule:

Under 18s – you can claim on behalf of a child who was on work experience or working part-time. No time limits apply in these circumstances until the child turns 18. When the child turns 18 they can make their own claim but the three year time limit will then apply.

Mental capacity – you can make a claim on behalf of someone who doesn’t have the ability to do so themselves, including when someone has suffered a serious head/brain injury as a result of their accident. In these circumstances, no time limits apply.

Fatal claims – if you’re claiming on behalf of a loved one who died, you’ll either have three years from the date of their death or the date of the accident to make a claim.

If you have any concerns about the time limits for claiming compensation, we’ll be able to talk through your options in a free initial consultation.

Many of our cases are funded with a No Win No Fee agreement. This means that there’s no financial risk* to you when making a compensation claim.

At the start of your claim, we’ll discuss the funding options available, advising you which we think is the most suitable. If you have legal expenses insurance (LEI), or can access support through trade union membership, these may be best for you. Legal expenses insurance is included in many household and car insurance policies, so it’s always worth checking whether you’re already covered.

If we think you’re best supported by a No Win No Fee agreement, we’ll explain the process clearly. This involves setting up an insurance policy that will protect you, at no cost to you. You’ll only have to pay anything when your claim is successful – your opponent will pay most of our fees.

We have experienced solicitors based across the country who specialise in helping people to claim compensation after accidents at work. We know the issues that you and your loved ones may be facing, and we can answer all of your questions in plain English.

As well as helping you claim compensation, we can also help with your rehabilitation and recovery. If you can’t work because of your injuries, then we can also advise you on benefit entitlement and arrange for the best possible support to help you recover.

Having helped many other clients who were injured in slips and trips, we can use our experience to get a positive outcome for you and your family.

I will always hold Irwin Mitchell in the highest of regard. Best decision I ever made to choose them. Thank you."

Stuart, client

Client Story

Slip At Work Claim

Our workplace accident lawyers helped a man after he slipped over loose block paving at a property where he was fitting a kitchen.

The man was quickly rushed to A&E where he was told that he had suffered ligament damage, and was advised to use crutches while his knee recovered with rest. However our client’s symptoms became worse and he couldn’t put weight on his leg. His limb also started to swell and he suffered from various infections. Due to his constant pain, our client has since been diagnosed with a chronic pain condition.

Working with us, we managed to secure our client an interim payment of £10,000 to help with medical treatment. We’ve also secured the man a substantial sum to pay for private care for his longstanding injury.

"The interim payment I have recently received has been a huge help to my family."

"With the continuing help, support and rehabilitation I am receiving, I hope I’ll be able to get to a point where I can manage my injury and the pain, and eventually get my life back on track." - Client

What Constitutes Employer Negligence?

Although employees have a duty not to put themselves in danger, employers have a legal responsibility to take reasonable steps to protect their workers from harm. When it comes to slips and trips in the workplace, this means that employers should:

Carry out a risk assessment

Supply the right footwear for their employees, if appropriate

Make sure that the working environment is suitably maintained

Clean the workplace properly

Slips and fall accidents can have serious consequences, so it’s vital that the right measures are put in place to reduce the risk of them happening. Our specialist workplace accident solicitors have years of experience representing clients who have been injured as a result of employer negligence, so we know how to help you secure justice for what happened to you.

What Injuries Can Slips And Trips Cause?

Depending on the nature of the accident, slips and trips can result in a range of injuries, from the relatively minor to the life-changing. These include:

Whiplash

Soft tissue injuries

Fractures/broken bones

Muscle damage

Head/brain injury

However serious your injuries are, our specialist team have the expertise and experience needed to help you not only claim financial compensation, but also access medical care and support where needed.

Related Information - Workplace Slip & Trip Claims

Employment Our employment lawyers could help you defend your rights at workRead More

Falls From Height Claims We could help if you’ve been injured in a fall from heightRead More

Great Adaptations Find out how home adaptations can improve your independence after a serious injuryRead More

Warehouse Accident Claims We’ve represented many workers who have been injured in a warehouseRead More

All Scottish cases will be handled by the Scottish law firm with which we are associated, Irwin Mitchell Scotland LLP. The law relating to funding is different in Scotland and you will receive separate advice about what that means as well as a separate funding agreement.

* Subject to entering into a No Win No Fee agreement in conjunction with our Allianz Litigate insurance policy and complying with your responsibilities under its terms.

Awards & Recognition

We're always proud to be recognised for the work we do for our clients and have been named as a leading firm in the latest legal guides - which provide information and recommendations about lawyers and law firms in the UK

They're at the top of the game

"They've always got the client at the centre of what they're doing; they're at the top of the game, they don't treat the clients like numbers but like individuals."

Chambers & Partners, 2019

In a league of its own

"‘An absolutely outstanding firm’ that is ‘one of the national leaders in the field’, Irwin Mitchell ‘is second to none for sheer hard work alone’; the firm’s ‘innovation and dedication to its clients places it in a league of its own.’"

Legal 500, 2017

What Our Clients Say

We truly value and appreciate the feedback we receive from our clients, as we look to improve the services we offer on an ongoing basis.

Dealt with Rosemary Giles on an industrial injuries matter. Could not have wished for a more patient and caring professional. The matter concerned my father who sadly passed away during the claim and was extremely poorly throughout…

I instructed Irwin Mitchell to deal with my industrial injury claim in 2014 and dealt with Alex Shorey from the beginning. He is exceptionally caring, professional and knowledgeable. He has kept us informed throughout the long process…

My father instructed Irwin Mitchell towards the end of his life in to claim for industrial injuries. I was present and assisted him in his interactions with Irwin Mitchell during his life and continued the claim with Irwin Mitchell…